United Way concerned about HS cuts By Ray Barrington News-Chronicle Officials of the United Way of Brown County expressed concern Tuesday over county human services budget cuts, asking county residents to get involved in making sure the cuts' effects are eased. Director Toni Loch and board chairwoman Nancy Armbrust said at a news conference Tuesday they understood the reason for the cuts in the county budget, but hoped that programs with good long-term effects could be saved. "We feel the best use of resources is to do what has the best impact on people for the long term," Armbrust said. She admitted "the status quo is not gonna happen this year," with the county on a strict budget-cutting regimen. "We're concerned about how the decisions are being made," she said. Loch asked people concerned about the issues to get involved. "Attend meetings and become experts in human services issues," she suggested. "Choose the issues important to you. Become a volunteer or look at donations or in-kind resources." The county has cut many programs that are not mandated by state law in order to keep funds in mandated programs. Among programs that are being cut are teen parenting programs and programs to help the parents of disabled children. "There are a lot of people who don't have the basic skills for good decision-making," Loch said. Armbrust read from a statement giving the board's position: "We strongly urge that the people in need in Brown County, especially our most vulnerable, are carefully considered as funding choices are made. This is extremely important since cuts to individual programs have impacts - not only on the populations they serve but also on other programs and services that serve the same people in need." Loch emphasized that many of the programs affected are designed to reach at-risk residents early in their situations to avoid more costly fixes - including prison - later on. "A lot of people are gently saying that 'United Way can make up the funding cuts.' United Way does not have the funds," Armbrust said. "We just want to see informed decision-making," Loch said. "We know there are many forces at work." County Executive Carol Kelso has emphasized paying for the mandated programs, while attempting, she says, to cut programs that can be covered in other areas. She noted that some nonprofit agencies are having some programs dropped but are still receiving support for other programs. Contract payments to nonprofits total about $45 million in the county's budget. FYI The Brown County Human Services Committee will hold its budget meeting at 5:15 p.m. today in the theater at the Neville Public Museum, 210 Museum Place.